MetService Severe Weather Watch
Issued at 9:45am Tue 7 Apr 2026
Heavy rain for northern parts of both Islands. Possible severe northeast gales for Northland.
A subtropical low near Cape Reinga is moving southwest and is expected to reach the northern South Island early Wednesday. A front associated with the low becomes slow-moving over Bay of Plenty during Wednesday and Thursday. Periods of heavy rain are expected about northern areas of both Islands. Strong east to northeast winds are possible with the low, especially about Northland.
People are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts.
Heavy Rain Watch
Area: Northland
Period: 21 hours from 9:00am Tue 7 Apr to 6:00am Wed 8 Apr. High Tide for Whangaroa – 11am today.
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria. Localised downpours and thunderstorms possible tonight and early Wednesday morning.
Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.
Area: Auckland and Great Barrier Island
Period: 27 hours from 9:00am Tue 7 Apr to 12:00pm Wed 8 Apr
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria. Localised downpours and thunderstorms possible Wednesday morning.
Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.
Area: Coromandel Peninsula
Period: 24 hours from 3:00pm Tue 7 Apr to 3:00pm Wed 8 Apr
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria. Localised downpours and thunderstorms possible Wednesday morning and afternoon.
Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.
Area: Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui and Taupo
Period: 17 hours from 3:00am Wed 8 Apr to 8:00pm Wed 8 Apr
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, with localised downpours possible. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria. Thunderstorms possible Wednesday afternoon and evening.
Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.
Area: Bay of Plenty about and east of Whakatane
Period: 29 hours from 6:00am Wed 8 Apr to 11:00am Thu 9 Apr
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria. Localised downpours and thunderstorms possible Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.
Area: Richmond and Bryant ranges, including the Rai Valley
Period: 10 hours from 10:00pm Tue 7 Apr to 8:00am Wed 8 Apr
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria.
Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.
Area: Tasman northwest of Motueka
Period: 12 hours from 6:00pm Tue 7 Apr to 6:00am Wed 8 Apr
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria.
Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.
Strong Wind Watch
Area: Northland
Period: 8 hours from 9:00am Tue 7 Apr to 5:00pm Tue 7 Apr
Forecast: East to northeast winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.
Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.
An update will be issued by 9:00pm Tue 7 Apr
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This forecast is available on the MetService website at:
https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home
Definitions for MetService warning criteria are available at:
https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home#weather-criteria